Gran TorinoMovie Reviews

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Avg. Critic Score: 72 out of 100 Generally favorable reviews Metascore^® based on all critic reviews

Information for Parents:

Iffy for 16+

Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

91

Entertainment Weekly | Lisa Schwarzbaum
A movie at once understated and radical, deceptively unremarkable in presentation and ballsy in its earnestness. Don't let the star's overly familiar squint fool you: This is subtle, perceptive stuff. Read full review
90

Los Angeles Times | Kenneth Turan
Perhaps the best thing about Schenk's script is that it enticed Eastwood to end his self-imposed acting hiatus and bring his one-of-a-kind aura back to the screen. Read full review
90

The New York Times | Manohla Dargis
Mr. Eastwood is also an adept director of his own performances and, perhaps more important, a canny manipulator of his own iconographic presence. Read full review
88

Rolling Stone | Peter Travers
A lifetime in movies runs through this prime vintage Eastwood performance. You can't take your eyes off him. The no-frills, no-bull Gran Torino made my day. Read full review
88

Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert
Stars Eastwood as an American icon once again -- this time as a cantankerous, racist, beer-chugging retired Detroit autoworker who keeps his shotgun ready to lock and load. Dirty Harry on a pension, we're thinking, until we realize that only the autoworker retired; Dirty Harry is still on the job. Read full review
80

Washington Post | Ann Hornaday
If you can survive the F-bombs and the near-constant ethnic invective, Gran Torino is not to be missed, if only as the gutsy, thoroughly unexpected valedictory of an icon fully willing to spend every bit of his considerable capital. Read full review
75

USA Today | Claudia Puig
Earnest and understated, Gran Torino is an unflinching examination of themes that have fascinated Eastwood in most of his recent films: family, war, loss, faith and unexpected human connection. Read full review
70

Variety | Todd McCarthy
Highlighted by the star's vastly entertaining performance, this funny, broad but ultimately serious-minded drama about an old-timer driven to put things right in his deteriorating neighborhood looks to be a big audience-pleaser. Read full review
60

The Hollywood Reporter | Kirk Honeycutt
Eastwood has always had the gift for comedy in his acting repertoire, but he indulges in it only rarely. His fans might embrace this return to comedy. Read full review
50

San Francisco Chronicle | Mick LaSalle
Maybe this mixed-up and weird, awful but awfully likable movie is what Dirty Harry had coming to him, after all. Read full review

Metacritic link View more reviews for Gran Torino on Metacritic

Information for Parents

Common Sense Media says Iffy for 16+ Eastwood drama deals with racism and other raw stuff.

What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that even though this drama is about a prejudiced character coming to know and accept people of another race, it's loaded with racial invective and harsh racist language aimed at a broad spectrum of groups. Star Clint Eastwood's character isn't much of a role model, either -- unrepentantly grumpy, smoking, and drinking throughout the film -- and while he ultimately learns to respect some of his Asian neighbors, many other Asian characters (and some African American and Latino ones) are depicted as gang members and criminals. The movie is also remarkably violent in spots, with bloody beatings and brutal shootings depicted realistically and unflinchingly. All of that said, the underlying message is one of acceptance and understanding.

Families can talk about the movie's message. Is it clear that it's ultimately about tolerance?
What does Walt learn during the movie? How can that be applied as a broader lesson?
Parents, ask your teens how hearing all of the racist language in the movie makes them feel -- does it help expose and undermine stereotypes, or is it offensive?
How does Walt change over the course of the movie? Do you think the ending is realistic? Did Walt make the right choice? Also, are his acts of self-defense to protect his home, his car, and his neighbors justifiable?

The good stuff

Positive messages: The film is a complex, often uncomfortable look at racism -- and, ultimately, tolerance/acceptance. Walt eventually comes to know (and respect) the Hmong immigrants who've moved into his neighborhood, but it takes a lot of racist and culturally insensitive language and behavior to reach that point.
Positive role models: Walt, while ultimately motivated by loyalty and friendship, is hardly a shining role model. He's rude, racist, crabby, and incredibly insensitive. He refers to his parish priest as "an over-educated 27-year-old virgin" who "peddles superstition." Many of the film's Asian, Latino, and African-American characters are portrayed as gang members and criminals, though others are presented as hardworking and responsible.

What to watch for

Violence: Occasional brutal, realistic violence, including beatings, shootings, and more. A character is shot repeatedly. Several supporting characters are beaten. A supporting character is seen after being beaten and raped (the incident itself isn't shown). Discussion of violence in wartime. A character has a terminal illness.
Sex: A brief scene includes glimpses of magazine images of nude/partially clothed women. Some discussion of dating and romance from the blunt perspective of an older man.
Language: Strong language throughout, including "f--k," "g---dammit," "s--t," "bitch," "prick, "balls," and more. Also nonstop racist language aimed at Asian Americans ("gook," "swamp rats," "zipperheads," "slopes," "chinks," "fishheads," and more), African Americans ("spooks," the "N" word, and more), Irish Americans ("Micks" and more), Polish Americans ("Polacks"), homosexuals ("gay"), Jews, and Italian Americans ("Dagos" and more).
Consumerism: Mentions of some commercial brands, including the titlular Ford car, Land Cruiser, WD-40 lubricant, and more; Pabst Blue Ribbon beer cans are visible on screen.
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Characters smoke and chew tobacco and drink beer and hard liquor. Teen smoking.

Common Sense Media An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.